Travel-Friendly Sport Coat Packing

Packing a men's sport coat can be a tricky task, especially if you want to avoid creases and wrinkles. Whether you're travelling for business, a wedding, or pleasure, it's important to know how to pack your jacket to ensure it looks its best when you arrive at your destination. The key is to minimise the number of folds and to fold along the seams whenever possible. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to properly pack a men's sport coat, so you can step out in style and confidence wherever your travels take you.

The tucked-shoulder fold

To start, hold the jacket up in front of you by the shoulders, with the back facing you. Turn one shoulder inside out, toward you. Now, gently tuck the opposite shoulder into the other side. Ease the shoulder in as far as it will go to reduce the jacket's size without putting pressure on the material. You want to avoid creases and wrinkles at this stage. The sleeves should lie straight down the jacket, one on top of the other, and the breast panels should sandwich the whole thing, with their linings turned outward.

Now, fold the jacket in half from the bottom up to the top. You should now have a flat, tidy square that can be packed into your suitcase.

This method is ideal if you need to pack your jacket flat, rather than rolling it, and if it will be stored for a while. If you avoid stacking other items on top of it, the crease down the middle shouldn't set, and the jacket lining will protect the outside from wear and tear.

However, it may take a couple of attempts to perfect this technique, and it's best performed on a clean, flat surface.

The shirt-style fold

Step 1:

Lay your sports coat on a flat surface with the back of the jacket facing you. If you prefer, you can lay the jacket down.

Step 2:

Take the sleeve on your right side and fold it into the centre of the jacket. The seam at the back of the jacket should align with the centre of the sleeve.

Step 3:

Now, take the sleeve on your left side and fold it into the centre, so it lies directly on top of the other sleeve. Your jacket should now resemble a thin, vertical rectangle.

Step 4:

Finally, fold the jacket in half crosswise. Take the bottom edge and bring it up to meet the top edge. You can now turn the jacket over and pack it into your suitcase.

The jacket roll

Firstly, lay your jacket flat on a surface, unbuttoned. Then, pop the shoulders inside out by grabbing the front of the collar and pulling it back. You should be left with the sleeves facing outwards. Next, fold the jacket in half lengthwise, so that the back of the jacket is covered by the fold and the front, open part of the jacket is facing out. Ensure that the shoulders are lined up neatly.

Now, lay the jacket down on a flat surface, keeping it folded in half lengthwise. You should only see half of the jacket facing up. Starting from the top edge of the jacket, begin to roll it down towards the bottom edge. It is important to do this step loosely, without applying too much pressure, to avoid creating creases in the jacket. Continue rolling until the jacket forms a soft tube of fabric.

Packing a suit jacket

Firstly, lay the jacket flat on a surface, ensuring it is unbuttoned. The process of folding will be made easier if the jacket is laid out smoothly, with no creases. Next, you will want to work on one side of the jacket, starting with the right shoulder. Fold the right shoulder inside out and underneath the jacket. This is the first step in preparing the jacket to be tucked into itself. Once the right shoulder is folded inside out, it is time to flip the jacket over.

Now, you will work on the left shoulder. Pull the left shoulder and fold it under the right shoulder, which is already tucked inside out. At this point, the left side of the jacket should be resting under the folded right side. The sleeves should be lying straight down, one on top of the other, and the breast panels should be facing outward, creating a 'sandwich' effect with the rest of the jacket.

The final steps involve folding the jacket in half and then in half again. The number of folds will depend on the size of your bag and the amount of space you have. For a larger suitcase, one fold may be enough, but for a smaller bag, you may need to fold it twice to fit. Place the jacket on top of the other items in your bag. This ensures that no weight is pressing down on it, reducing the chances of creases forming.

An alternative method, if you are short on time, is to fold the jacket like a dress shirt. Tuck the sleeves behind the back, overlap the shoulders slightly, and fold it in half from the bottom, tucking the bottom hem under the collar. This creates a neat square shape that should fit easily into your bag. However, this method does involve more folds, so there is a higher chance of creases forming.

By following these steps, your suit jacket will be packed efficiently, minimising the risk of wrinkles, and ensuring you arrive in style!

Packing a sport coat

Start by laying the jacket flat on a surface, unbuttoned. It's best to use a clean, flat surface to work on. Then, you'll want to focus on the shoulders. Gently work the right shoulder inside out and underneath the jacket. Once you've done that, it's time to flip the jacket over.

Now, you'll work with the left shoulder. Pull the left shoulder and tuck it under the right one, so the left side is resting neatly underneath the folded right side. The sleeves should be lying straight down the jacket, one on top of the other. At this point, the jacket will start to take shape, with the breast panels sandwiching the whole thing together.

From here, you have a few options. If you're in a hurry or have limited space, you can simply fold the jacket in half from the bottom, bringing the bottom hem up underneath the collar. This will give you a neat square shape that can fit into most bags. However, this method may result in some creases, especially if the jacket is packed for a long time or has weight placed on top of it.

For a more crease-resistant method, try the "tucked-shoulder fold". After tucking in the shoulders, fold the jacket in half from the bottom. Then, fold it in half again. This method reduces the number of folds that aren't on seams, helping to prevent creases. Place the jacket on top of everything inside your bag.

If you want the ultimate protection against wrinkles, consider rolling the jacket instead of folding it. This method involves some creative tucking and layering, but it ensures that the jacket is never folded across the fabric. You can even tuck a shirt or some underwear into the roll to save space, but be careful not to cram too much inside.

Remember, when packing a sport coat, it's important to be gentle and take your time. It may take a few tries to get it right, but it's worth it to keep your jacket looking sharp and wrinkle-free.

Frequently asked questions